Wilson County Beekeepers

Meeting Minutes – 24 March 2014

After several weeks of weather delays, building schedule issues, and speaker availability, the Wilson County Beekeepers met Monday, March 24 at the Ward Ag Center with Carey Mitchell, President, welcoming some 130 members and guests.

An approval was given for the February minutes that were posted in the last newsletter.

Old Business Discussed

• Newbees…have you got your location sited, your equipment set up, and your bees ordered?
• T-Shirt committee taking orders. Hats will be available when order is placed. The deadline for ordering will be the May meeting. If you did not order at the meeting, you can download the order form and forward to Peter Klaes
• New Kelleys and Dadant catalogs are in
• Can still order Wilbanks bees. Next shipment is scheduled for June 2. Contact Bobby Carter at 931-239-4000. Can also call them to check on your order
• Jim Murff said nucs should be available in April
• Farm Days—April 16 and 17. Karen Dawson sent around a sign-up sheet asking for volunteers on either days. Jane Harbour had to back out, so Karen is your contact (594-2455)

New Business

• Field Day scheduled for May 24 with May 31 being the alternate in case of rain.
• Three locations:
  • Lebanon, 914 Maple Hill Road—Jim Murff
  • Mt. Juliet, 6215 John Hagar Road—Randy Randall
  • Watertown, 1931 Shop Springs Road—Andy & Julia Harper
    – Petra has detailed address information

• Swarm List was circulated for additions/deletions/corrections…will be posted to website
• TBA Board meeting recap:
  • *** Of the 37 affiliated clubs, 28 participated in the Hive Grant
  • *** New budget was proposed with TBA offering $200 for clubs that hold a short course and provide proof. Of course we already held ours in October, and the check has been deposited
  • *** All four regions reported colony loss…some as high as 50%
  • *** Beekeeper of the Year and Life Membership nomination forms were streamlined and handed out. They can be found on the TBA website
  • *** HAS meeting in Carbondale, IL … July 10-12
  • *** EAS meeting in Richmond, KY … July 28-August 1
  • *** TBA Fall Conference in Cookeville, TN … October 10-11
  • *** TBA offering one (one day) conference scholarship to a brand new beekeeper (you pay for additional day and meals)

• Last year WCBA gave away a total of 12 scholarships (including the one from TBA) for those that have never attended conference. The Membership voted to offer that again this year with WCBA paying one-day admittance to the conference for 11 individuals who have never gone to Conference (whether newbee or not) and attendee would pick up the cost for the second day and any meals wanted. Drawing will be held at the September meeting.

In Fred’s absence, Karen presented this monthly To-Do’s.

Fred’s To-Do List:
• Is your equipment ready for new packages and/or nucs
• Check stores, check for brood and queens
• Make sure supers are ready
• Pay attention to Dr. Collison’s discussion tonight
• READ—READ—READ

Dr. Clarence Collison had a most-informative presentation this evening on preparing our hives for maximum honey production, swarm prevention, and what to do if you find they are ready to swarm.

Our next meeting is scheduled for April 14 (the second Monday) with Charlie Parton discussing nucs.

A few announcements:

• Joe Riddle has buckets of sugar for sale
• Edwina Reeder donated trees from Tennessee Forestry. Cost is $2.00 per tree with funds going to purchase library books

Arlis Swafford helped Carey hand out this evening’s door prizes:

1. Debbie Bobbitt won the Helmet & veil from Dadant;
2. Les Reese got honey candy from GloryBee;
3. Bill Badger got the travel mug from TBA;
4. Sally Syes took home a hat from GloryBee;
5. Helen Martinez won a bee brush, and
6. Tony Mercante won a hive tool.
7. Paula Rogers made cookies and Leonard Walker, Mark Linder, Sandy Herbert, and Nancy Woodard took them home.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 for refreshments and fellowship.

Respectfully submitted: Petra Mitchell, Secretary/Treasurer—Wilson County Beekeepers Association, March 26, 2014

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